Hosiery inspecting apparatus



March 20, 1962 AUTEM 3,026,007

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April 11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 1 Fla--1- luanmummy IN VEN TOR. Fred fizz fem F. AUTEM3,026,007

March 20, 1962 HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 OriginalFiled April 11, 1955 Fla. 4.

Q N 36 l a N i Q L23, I67

INVENTOR. Fred flu/1 am ATTORNEY.

F. AUTEM HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS March 20, 1962 Original FiledApril 11, 1955 F 1 E- Ev- RW mm f m m mo V A w m d A e r FM 7 0 i O Y 53 B 2 "a 2 w 5 m o 7 O u 3 3. 6 2 5 7 6 6 2 FI IL 5 March 20, 1962 F.AUTEM 3,026,007

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April 11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 4 PEG. E. a-'

I N V EN TOR. Had I when A TTORNE Y.

March 20, 1962 F. AUTEM 3,026,007

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April 11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNE Y.

March 20, 1962 F. AUTEM 3,02

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April 11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 7 F a I11 96 @100 :8 0 I22 INVENTOR.

Fred flu fem ATTORNEY.

March 20, 1962 F. AUTEM 3,026,007

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April 11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet B INVENTOR. Fredfluiem 7? 5 Maw-J ATTORNEY.

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March 20, 1962 F. AUTEM 3,026,007

HOSIERY INSPECTING APPARATUS Original Filed April .11, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 9 /////1f/Jl///////1 IIII \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\uIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII l7 5 INVENTOR. Fred flu/fem ATTORNEY.

United States 3,025,007 HGSIERY EJSIECTING AIPARATUS Fred Autem, MountPenn, Fa, assignor, hy inesne assignments, to Southern Textile Machinery(10. Inc., Iaducah, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Original applicationApr. 11,, 1955, Ser. No. 505,570, new Patent No. 2,957,613, dated Oct.25, 196i). Divided and this application .Ian. 13, 195i), Ser. No. 2,137

15 Qiaims. ((31. 223-77 This invention relates to a hosiery inspectingdevice and particularly to an improved hosiery inspection form. Thisapplication is a division of my copending application Serial No, 500,570fiied April 11, 1955 for Hosiery Inspection Apparatus, now Patent No.2,957,613.

In the normal production of stockings such as womens full-fashionedhosiery, the stockings are visually inspected at an intermediate pointin their production prior to finishing operations for the purposes ofdiscovering and segregating those having defects in the fabric or seams.In the past, this inspection has been performed with a form of generalstocking shape supported at one end. The form is provided with means forexpanding the stocking to place the fabric under tension, and is mountedfor rotation on a longitudinal axis to permit both sides of the stockingto be presented in turn to the operator. In the operation of this formthe stockings, which are received from prior operations in an inside outcondition, are

first everted, which operation is performed by hand, and

then are drawn onto the form over the free end with the welt or open endof the stocking being moved onto the form until the stocking toe is incontact with the free end of the form. In more recently developed formsthe stockings are drawn onto the form in their inside out condition andeverted as they are removed from the form. The stockings which passinspection are then moved on for later finishing operations.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an inspectiondevice of the stocking expanding type which automatically performscertain of the operations to accelerate the inspection cycle and reducehandling of the stockings with the result that increased production isobtained and fewer stockings are injured during the inspecting andturning operation.

To accomplish this object, a passageway is provided in the form throughwhich the stocking is conveyed, the passageway having an entranceopening adjacent the free end and an exit opening adjacent the otherend. Ac cordingly, the toe end will first enter the passageway, theremainder of the stocking following and the entire stocking will beeverted during this operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an inspection deviceof the stocking expanding type wherein the stockings are placed undertension during the inspection cycle of expandable members the actuationof which is coordinated with the other operations of the inspectioncycle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an inspection deviceof the stocking expanding type wherein the stocking form is rotatablefrom initial to final inspection positions which rotation is coordinatedwith the other operations of the inspection cycle.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for lockingthe rotatable form in its final inspection position to facilitate thefinal inspection and everting of the stocking, which locking means arethen released to return the form to its initial position for the startof another inspection cycle.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means forcounting the stockings during the everting operation, which countingmeans actuates the release of the stocking form for return to itsinitial position.

NEW?! Patented Mar. 2%, 1962 A still further object of the invention isthe provision of means for releasing the stocking form from its finalinspection position without completion of the inspection and evertingcycle when the stocking is found to be defective.

My invention will be more fully understood and further objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent when reference ismadeto the following more detailed description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stocking device including anexpanding form and means for counting and turning the stockings insideout in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation on an enlarged scale of a portion of thedevice as seen from the left of FIG. 1, parts being shown incross-section;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in cross-sectiontaken on the plane 3-3 as indicated in FIG. 1 and shown enlargedrelative to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 with the table topindicated in a dot and dash outline;

FIG. 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in cross-section ofcertain of the control means of the device taken substantially on theplane 5-5 as indicated in FIG. 1 and shown enlarged with respect to FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 5, the view being extendedto include details not shown in FIG. 5 and the parts being shown indiiferent operating posi tions;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 5, the parts being brokenaway to more clearly show additional details of the control means;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view taken substantially on the plane8-8 as indicated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view partly in cross-section and partly in elevation takensubstantially on the plane 9-9 as indicated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view of the control means for the expanding form partly inelevation and partly in cross-section taken on the plane 10-10 asindicated in FIG. 1 and shown enlarged relative to FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the plane 11-11 as indicatedin FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane 12-12as indicated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the plane 13-13 as indicatedin FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane 14-14as indicated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the expanding form with theupper shell half removed;

FIG. 16 is a detailed plan view on an enlarged scale of the portion ofthe expanding form shown substantially within the arrows 16-16 of FIG.15, parts being broken away and shown in cross-section in order toillustrate other parts in the background;

FIG. 17 is a detailed plan view similar to FIG. 16 showing the portionof the expanding form substantially within the arrows 17-17 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a detailed plan view similar to FIG. 16 showing the portionof the expanding form substantially within the arrows 18-18. of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the expanding form similar to FIG. 15 but withthe upper shell in place and the showing of the stocking expandersextended;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 17 with the parts shown in differentpositions relative to FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the left end of the expanding form with theupper shell half removed and parts being broken away and shown incross-section;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. '16 with certain of theparts shown in different positions relative to FIG. 16;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale takensubstantially on the plane 23-43 as indicated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale takensubstantially on the plane 2424 as indicated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane 25-25as indicated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 25 taken on the plane26-26 as indicated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 25 taken substantiallyon the plane 2727 as indicated in FIG. 16; l

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 27 taken substantiallyon the plane 28-28 as indicated in FiG. 18;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 28 taken on the plane29-29 as indicated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on theplane E il-30 as indicated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 31 is a crossectional view through the expanding form taken on theplane 3131 as indicated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on theplane 3232 as indicated in FIG. 19;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view through the expanding form takensubstantially along the plane 3333 as indicated in FIG. 21;

FIG. 34 is a detailed plan view taken on the plane 3434 as indicated inFIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on theplane 3535 as indicated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 36 is a View in elevational and partly in cross-section of thecounting means of the device taken substantially on the plane 3636 ofFIG. 4 and shown enlarged rela tive to FIG. 4;

FIG. 37 is a view on an enlarged scale similar to a portion of FIG. 36with certain parts being shown in different relative positions and otherparts being in crosssection to further clarify their construction; and,

FIG. 38 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of themechanism of FIG. 36 taken in the direction of the arrows 38-68 of FIG.36.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 4, an apparatusaccording to the instant invention for inspecting and turning stockingsis indicated generally at and includes a fiat form 51 having a free endover which a stocking blank may be drawn welt end first until the toe ofthe stocking is against the free end of the form. Form 51 is rotatablymounted in a housing 52, as hereinafter set forth, which is secured to abracket 55 by means of a bolt 56 (FIGS. 5 and 9). Bracket 55 is securedto the underside of a top portion 57 of a table 60 to support form 51 ina position extending along the front of the table. Form 51 is providedwith expander members or fins 61 which may be projected outwardly tostretch the stocking, by means described below, operated by compressedair or other fluid under pressure from a supply pipe or conduit 62supported in brackets 65 secured to the underside of the table (FIGS. 3and 4).

After inspecting the side of the stocking on the flat side of form 51facing the operator, the form is partially rotated from its initialinspecting position to bring the other side of the form into its finalinspecting position and the form is then latched in this latterposition. After the final inspection of the stocking, expander members61 are retracted, which institutes a cycle of operations including thedrawing of the stocking through the interior of the form to turn thestocking right side out, counting the stockings, placing the stocking ina tray or other container and returning the form to its initial positionfor the start of another inspecting and turning cycle. For this purposeapparatus 50 also includes a control valve 66 which is carried on theunderside of top portion 57 of table 6%), the valve being connected tocompressed air conduit 62 by air line 68 (FIG. 6) including sections offlexible hose 67 or the like. Control valve 66 is connected to theinterior of form 51 to direct a current of air toward the back or weltend of the form and is connected to the motive means for a pushing unitindicated generally at 70' having a pushing member 71 which isconstructed and operated, as hereinafter set forth, to engage and pushthe stocking toward the free or toe end of the form to assist thecurrent of air to draw the stocking oil the form and through theinterior thereof.

As the toe end of the stocking emerges or is ejected by the air from theexit opening at the back end of the form 51 it is deflected through alight beam of a photoelectric device including a light tube 72 and aphoto-tube or cell 75 into an opening or passage 76 formed between onewall 77 of a channel-shaped member 84) secured to the housing 52 byscrews 81 (FIG. 5) and a portion of the housing (FIG. 2). The toeportion of the stocking in passing through the light beam energizes anelectrical circuit to cause operation of a counting device 86 (FIG. 36)which registers the number of the stocking inspecting cycles, and causesrelease of the form 51 for return to i its position for the start of asubsequent inspecting cycle.

Form 5 1 comprises outer shell halves 91 and 92 (FIGS. 25 to 29)preferably formed of Bakelite or other plastic material which may behighly polished to provide a smooth friction free surface to permit thestockings to be readily drawn thereover. In plan view (FIG. 15) the formhas a symmetrical outline which will extend the various portions of thestocking without exerting excessive initial tension in the stockingfabric. Shell half 91 is recessed as at 95 to receive side wall portions96 of a central shaft or frame member 97, the frame member extendingalong substantially the full length of the shell half 1 and beingsecured thereto as by screws 100- (FIG. 25). As shown in FIGS. 25 to 29,inclusive, the side walls 96 of the frame member 97 are connected by endwalls 101 to side wall portions 102, the side and end walls formingchannel sections 106 opening toward the. side edges of form 51. Thechannel sections are joined by a center web 106 which is aligned withwalls 102, the web and walls 162 engaging the bottom surface of a recessF17 in shell half 22 and acting to space the shell halves from eachother. The tapered heads of screws 11% secured in shell half 92 interfitin rabbeted slots 111 in web 166 of frame member 97 (FIGS. 30 and 34) toremovably attach shell half 92 to frame member 97. A screw 112 passingthrough shell half 92 and secured in frame member 97 maintains shellhalf 92 in correct position with respect to shell half 91. To removeshell half 92 from frame member 97, screw 112 is removed and the shellhalf shifted toward the left, as viewed in FIGS. 30 to 34. to align theheads of screws with enlarged apertures 115 at the left ends of slots111 which permit the heads of screws 110 to be removed from the slots.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 29, and walls 101 and web 106 of frame member 97define an aperture which is in register with a recessed portion in shellhalf 91 to forman unobstructed passageway 116 extending through form? 51from an extrance opening 118 at the forward or toe end (FIG. 32) to anexit opening 117 formed in shell half 91 at the rear or welt end of theform (FIG. 30). The end of shell half 92 is shaped to fit the toe tip ofthe stocking and extends beyond the end of shell half 91 (FIG. 32) tofacilitate entry of the stocking into opening 118 of the passageway 116.As shown in FIGS. 2 and 21, the toe end of shell half 91 has rounded topportions 120 formed thereon to cover the end edges of walls 161 of framemember 97 and to define entrance opening 118.

Shell halves 91 and 92 are spaced from each other toprovide elongatedopenings through which the expander members or fins 61 extend. Pins 61are preferably of the same or similar material as shell halves. 91 and92 and are provided with stiffening plates 121 preferably of metal,which engage the inner surfaces of walls 96 in frame member 97 to guidefins 61 in movement in channel sections 1115. Pins 61 are normally inretracted positions in which they engage wall portions 101 of framemember 97. For projecting fins 61 outwardly from the side edges of form51, actuating rods 122 are provided (FIG. 4), one being associated witheach of the fins. Actuating rods 122 extend along channel sections 1 offrame member 97 and are guided for sliding movement in the channelsections between walls 102 and blocks secured to the side walls adjacentthe rear end and center of form 51, respectively, by screws 126 (FIGS.l6, l7 and 27). Each actuating rod 122, adjacent the toe end of form 51,is also guided between an enlarged head 123 of a member 124 whichextends through a slot 123 in the actuating rod and is secured to sidewall 16-2 by a screw 129 (FIGS. 21 and 33).

The actuator rod 122 for each fin 61 has a bushing or nut 127 securedadjacent the rear portion of form 51, as by screw 130, bushing 1227providing a pivotal mounting for one end of a link 131 (FiGS. 24 and25). Link 131 lies in a cutout 135 in fin 61 and is pivotally connectedat its other end to stiffening plate 121 by a bushing 136 secured to thestiffening plate by screw 134. One end of a stabilizer link 137 ispivotally mounted on abushing 1'38 secured by a screw 139 to stiffeningplate 121, the other end of link 137 being pivotally mounted on abushing 143 secured to side wall 102 of the frame member 97 by a screw144 (FIG. 26). Stabilizer link 137 acts to maintain the fins inpredetermined lengthwise position between shell halves 91 and 92 duringthe movement of the fins between retracted and projected or stockingexpanding positions.

Adjacent to the forward or toe end of form 51 each actuator rod 122 hasa cam block 140 secured thereto by screws 1 1, cam block 141) beingadapted to engage a pin or follower 142 carried in the stiffening plate121 of the adjacent expander member 61 (FIGS. 18, 21 and 28). A furtherlink 145 lies in a cutout 149 in each fin 61 and has one end pivotallymounted on a bearing member 152 secured to the stiffening plate 121(FIG. 23). The other end of link 145 carries a bushing 146 which isslideably received in a slot 147 formed in actuator rod 122. Astiffening plate 148 is secured to the actuator rod at this point (FIG.23). Wire springs 150 having one end fixed in the blocks 125 adjacentthe center of the form 51, are adapted to engage pins 151 carried instiffening plates 121 (FIGS. 16 and 22) to bias the fins toward theirretracted positions.

As shown in FIGS. l6, l7 and 18, with the actuator rods 122 in theirleft position, fins 61 are in retracted position, and links 131 and 145lie substantially parallel to end walls 161 of the frame member 97 withthe bearing portions 146 of links 145 against the right ends of slots147 in the actuator rods. Pins 142 in the fins are on the low parts ofthe cam blocks 140. Upon movement of the actuator rods 122 toward theright, links 131 and 1415 swing outwardly about bearing members 127 and146, respectively, and pins 142 rode up the inclined portions of camblocks 140 to project fins 61 outwardly against the pressure of springs150 (FIGS. 19, 20, 21 and 22). As the actuator rods 122 approach the endof their movement to the right, the left ends of slots 147 engagebearing members 146 to complete the outward swing of the links 145.

As hereinbefore set forth, form 51 is rotatable to permit inspection ofboth sides of a stocking on the form. For this purpose frame member 97has a square extension 155 with a round portion 156 rotatably carried ina ball bearing 157 mounted in housing 52, as shown in FIG. 9. Bearing157 is maintained in fixed position in housing 52 between a shoulder159. of the housing and a plate 166 secured to the housing (FIG. 9).Shaft 156 is held in fixed axial position between a collar 161 fixed onthe shaft in abutting relation with bearing 157 and a thrust washer 162carried on the shaft between bearing 157 and a thrust washer 162 carriedon the shaft between the bearing and the hub portion of a disk 165'secured to extension 155, the purpose of the disk being hereinafter setforth. Shaft 156 has a portion 166 of reduced diameter which extendsthrough and is supported in a second ball bearing 163 carried in asleeve 164 fixed in a portion 167 of housing 52. Bearing 163 is held infixed position between a shoulder 16% in housing portion 167 and aflange 169 on sleeve 164-, as shown in FlG. ll.

Actuator rods 122 are moved along channel sections 105 of frame member97 to retract and project fins 61 by a rod 174) which is slideable inthe hollow interior 171 of extension 155 and shaft portions 156 and 166of frame member 97. Rod 176 is provided with an aperture 172 for a crossmember 175, the ends of the cross member extending from opposite sidesof the rod through slots 176 in extension 155' for engagement with astud 177 carried in each of the actuator rods (PEG. 35).

Rod 17%} carries a cross pin 173 which extends from opposite sides ofthe rod through a slot 174 in the shaft portion 166 into apertures 17.8in a collar 179 (FIGS. 9 and 11). Collar 179 is ro-tatably carried in asleeve 18% between a shoulder 183 of the sleeve and a thrust bearing 184which is held in position in the sleeve by a collar 1%. Sleeve 1 81). isaxially slide-able in a bearing 18-9 formed in portion 167 of thehousing and carries a rack member 181 extending through and interfittingin a slot 193 in the bearing (FIG. 10) to prevent rotative movement ofthe sleeve in the bearing. Rod 179 and sleeve 1 86) are biaseddownwardly, as viewed in FIG. 11 or to the left as viewed in FIG. 9, bya spring 194 which is positioned in hollow interior 171 in shaft portion166 between the end of the rod and a pin 19% adjustably carried in theend of the shaft portion. From the foregoing it is apparent that shaftportions 156 and 166 may rotate, but cannot move axially within housing52, and that sleeve 18%) may move axially, but cannot rotate relative tothe shaft portions.

Sleeve 180 and rod 170 are slideably moved by engagement of the teeth ofrack member 181 with the teeth of a segmental gear portion 182 of alever 1 85 pivotally mounted on a pin or shaft 186 carried in portion167 of housing 52. Lever is pivotally connected to one end of a link187, the other end of the link having a ball end 191) for engagement ina socket 191 formed in a piston 192 which is slideably mounted in acylinder housing 195 forming part of portion 167. Normally, piston 192,lever 185 and rack member 181 are positioned as in FIG. 11, to whichposition they are biased by a spring 196.

Movement of piston 192 upwardly from the FIG. 11 position rotates lever1'85 counterclockwise and moves rack member 181 and rod 170 to moveactuator rods 122 and project fins 61. Movement of piston 192 isaccomplished by compressed air which is introduced against. the back ofpiston 192 through an opening 197 in a valve housing. zen (FIGS. ll and13) forming the cap or cover for cylinder housing 195 (FIGS. 10 and ll).Opening 197 is connected to an upper chamber 291 in valve housing 2%which in turn is connected to a lower chamber 262 through an enlargedopening 265 in a washer 296 (FIGS. 12 and 13) of a plastic material suchas rubber or the like. Lower chamber 2112 is connected by a pipe orconduit 2117 having a flexible portion 210 releasably connected to theair conduit 62 (FIG. 4). Opening 205 in the washer is sealed by a head211 of a valve 212 having a stern portion 215 extending into andengaging the end of a recess in a tappet 216 slideable in valve housing290. Head 211 is normally seated by a spring 217 against washer 206 toseal opening 295. Tappet 216 has a head 220 which is engaged anddepressed by one arm 22 1 of a lever 222 to disengage head 211 fromwash-er 266 to thereby permit the air to pass from lower chamber 202through opening 255 in the washer and into upper chamber 291 and opening197 to actuate piston 192. An adjusting valve 225 is provided in conduit207 (FIG. 10) to regulate the flow of air from supply conduit 62 topiston 122 and the pres sure of the air flow is indicated by a gauge 226carried in valve housing 201 in communication with lower chamber 2112(F168. 4 and 12).

Lever 222 is secured to a shaft 227 which is pivotally supported inbrackets 239 secured to the underside of table top 57 (FIGS. 3 and 4).Lever 222 has a second arm 231 which is adapted to engage an enlargedhead 232 of a bushing 235 slideably mounted in an aperture 236 in valvehousing 2%. Bushing 235 is secured to a stem portion 237 of a reliefvalve 240 slidably carried in valve housing 200, and having a head 241which is adapted to be seated against a pliable washer 242 in anaperture 245 communicating with the back of piston 192, as shown in FIG.11. A spring 246 in aperture 236 between the bottom surface thereof andbushing 235 biases head 241 of valve 249 against washer 242 to close anenlarged opening 247 in the washer which communicates with a passagewayd extending through valve housing 2% and opening to the outsideatmosphere (FIG. 14). When arm 221 is turned clockwise to depress valve212 to open the air line to the back of piston 122, arm 231 is alsomoved to permit spring 245 to seat valve head 241 against washer 242 toclose passageway 25%. Movement of arms 221 and 231 counterclockwisepermits spring 217 to seat valve head 211. against washer 2116 anddepresses valve 24-0 to open passageway 250 to exhaust air from thecylinder housing as spring 196 returns piston 192 to its position of HG.11. A foot treadle 251 on shaft 227 serves as the means for turning arms221 and 231 in the clockwise direction. A torsion spring 252 surroundingshaft 227 and having its ends anchored in one of brackets 230 and acollar 255 fixed on the shaft (FIG. 4) biases the shaft and arms totheir counterclockwise position (FIG. 10) which position is determinedby engagement of head 232 of bushing 235 with valve housing 200.

After inspecting the stocking on one fiat side of form 51, the form isrotated to present the other face thereof for inspection and the formlatched in the latter position. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 5, 6and 7, an outer peripheral edge 256 of disk 165 has a notch 257 formedtherein, one wall or surface 26% of which extends along a radial linepassing through the center of rod 170. Wall 260 is adapted to be engagedby a free end portion or latch element 261 of a lever 262 which ispivotally mounted on a stud 265 carried in housing 52 (FIGS. 5 and 6).The other end of the lever 262 is pivotally connected to one end of alink 266. The other end of link 266 is pivotally connected to a coremember 267 of a solenoid 27% carried in housing 52. A limit switch 268secured to housing 52 has a button 273 which is actuated by a springblade 274 secured to the switch, the blade acting, when in engagementwith outer edge 256 of disk 165, to close the switch and acting torelease the button and open the switch when the blade drops into notch257 of the disk. Solenoid 270 and limit switch 268 are connected in theelectrical circuit of the apparatus as and for the purpose hereinafterset forth. A pin 271 carried in and extending from a side face of disk165 engages a bumper member 272 of leather or rubber or other resilientmaterial carried in a bracket 275 secured to housing 52 (FIGS. 5 and 7)to determine the clockwise position of form 51. The counterclockwismovement of form 51 to final inspecting position is limited byengagement of pin 271 with a bumper member 278 secured to plate 160.Disk 165 and form 51 are biased clockwise to the initial inspectingposition of the form when end portion 251 is released from wall 260 by aspring 276 which is 8 connected between pin 271 and a pin 277 in thehousing 52 (FIG. 9).

Pin 271 in disk is also adapted to engage one end of a rod 280 which isguided for sliding movement in a bracket 281 secured to the housing(FIGS. 5 and 6). Rod 28!) extends to the left through a forked endportion 282 of a lever 285 (FIGS. 6 and 9) and between a pair of guidepins in control valve 66, one of which is shown at 286. A left endportion 237 of rod 283 is supported for sliding movement on a flatportion 292 of a lever 291 secured to shaft 227. Rod 28%) is shifted tothe left by pin 271 to position the end 287 beneath buttons 292 incontrol valve 66 for purposes hereinafter set forth. Rod 281) carries apin 295 for engagement with bracket 281 to limit the movement of the rodtoward the right (FIG. 5) and carries a second pin 2% for engagementwith guide pins 286 to limit the movement of the rod toward the left(FIG. 6). Lever 285 is pivotally mounted on a stud 3% carried in housing52 and is provided with a follower portion 391 for engagement with edge256 of the disk 165. A spring 352 connected between the forked end 232of lever 285 and housing 52 biases the lever toward disk 165.

At the start of an inspecting and turning cycle, disk 165 is in itsposition of FIG. 5, rod 281 is in its position to the right with end 287of the rod withdrawn from beneath buttons 292 of control valve 66. Foottreadle shaft 227 and lever 291 are in their counterclockwise positions.

With a stocking on form 51, foot treadle 251 is actuated to rotate shaft227 to project fins 61, and to move lever 291 clockwise to the positionof FIG. 6. After inspecting one side of the stocking, form 51 and disk165 are rotated counterclockwise to engage end portion 261 of lever 262with wall 2611 in notch 257 of the disk. During rotation of disk 165 thepin 271 engages and moves rod 280 to the left to position end portion287 beneath buttons 292. When foot treadle 251 is released and turnedcounterclockwise to starting position, lever 291 moves end portion 287to engage and depress buttons 292 to open the air lines to form 51 andpushing unit 711. When the inspecting cycle is completed, lever 262 isactuated by solenoid 271 to release disk 165 which is returned clockwiseto initial position (FIGS. 5 and 7) by spring 276. As disk :165 isturned clockwise, follower portion 301 of lever 285 enters notch 257 inthe disk, and lever 285 is biased clockwise by spring 3112 to engage pin295 and move rod 280 to the right. Movement of rod 280 to the rightwithdraws end 237 from beneath buttons 292 to close the air lines toform 51 and pushing unit 70.

When the toe of the stocking blank is ejected from the passageway 116 inthe form 51, it is deflected through and breaks the light beam passingbetween the light tube 72 and the photocell 75. Breaking the light beambe tween the light tube 72 and the photocell 75 causes operation of acore member 416 of a solenoid 417 which is connected in theaforementioned electrical circuit of the device and is carried in ahousing 418 secured to the top portion 57 of the table 60 (FIG. 36). Thecore memher 416 is connected by a spring 420 to a pin 421 carried in thefree end of an operating lever 422 of the counting device 86 (FIGS. 36and 38). A counting device 86 is carried in the housing 418 and issuitably of the type shown and described in US. Patent No. 2,679,358issued to F. Autem, May 25, 1954. The lever 422 is adapted to engage andoperate a spring plate 425 to actuate a button 428 and close a normallyopen limit switch 426, in the housing 418, during each counting movementof the lever 422.

At times it is desirable that the movement of the lever 422 by thesolenoid 417 be limited to prevent a counting operation of the device 86but be sufficient to engage and operate the spring plate 425 to closethe limit switch 428. For this purpose there is provided a push pin 427which is mounted for horizontal sliding movement in an aperture 430 inthe housing 418, the aperture having a tapered lower surface 433 to alsopermit vertical locking movements of the pin, as viewed in FIGS. 36 and37. The push pin 427 has two notches 431 in its upper surface forengagement with a plate 432 secured to the housing 418, the notchesdetermining the inactive position of the push pin, shown in full lines,and the active position, shown in dot and dash outline, in FIG. 37, inwhich latter positioned push pin is in the path of the pin 421 of thelever 422. The push pin 427 is releasably held in position to engage theplate 432 in either notch 431 by a spring pressed detent pin 435 carriedin a portion of the housing 418, the detent pin being readilydepressible to permit movement of the push pin to either its active orinactive position. The push pin 427 has a central aperture 436 toreceive a spring 437 which is connected between a pin 44% in the pushpin and a pin 441 which extend through a slot 442 in the push pin intothe housing 418. The spring 437 tends to bias the push pin 427 towardits inactive position of FIG. 37. When the push pin 427 is in the activeposition, shown in dot and dash outline, and the solenoid 417 isactuated to move the lever 422 through a counting cycle, the pin 421engages in the forward notch 431 in the push pin and rotates the pushpin around the pin 441 against the action of the detent pin 435.Rotation of the push pin 427 is arrested when it engages the taperedsurface 433 (as indicated in dotted outline in FIG. 37) and the movementof the lever 422 is likewise arrested before completing its fullcounting stroke. In this position the other notch 431 in the push pin427 is disengaged from the plate 432 and the push pin is maintained inactive position by engagement of the pin 421 in the forward notch 431.Also at this time the push pin 427 engages the spring plate 425 to closethe limit switch 426. As the lever 422 is returned to its position ofFIG. 36, the spring 437 draws the push pin 427 to its left or inactiveposition and the detent pin 435 presses the push pin upwardly to engagethe plate 432 in the forward notch 431.

From the foregoing it is believed that the structure and operation ofapparatus 50 will be obvious to those skilled in the art. However, forthe purpose of clarity the operation of the apparatus through a stockinginspecting and turning cycle is hereinafter summarized as follows:

With form 51 in its initial position of FIGS. 1 and 2. a stocking withthe wrong side out is drawn onto the form and foot treadle 251 is thenmanually operated to turn shaft 227 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 10, todepress valve 212 against the action of spring 217 and open the air linefrom conduit 62 to cylinder housing 195'. As air is introduced intohousing 195, piston 1'92 is operated to move actuating rods 122 toproject expander members 61 (FIG. 19) and stretch the stocking on theform. At this time, lever 291 is in its clockwise position of FIG. 6.After inspecting the stocking on the side of the form facing theoperator, the :form is manually rotated approximately 180 to bring theother side of the form facing the operator. Rotation of form 51 to thisfinal inspecting position permits end 261 of lever 262 to engage surface260 of notch 257 in disk 165 to hold the form in this latter position.Also during rotation of the disk edge 256 of the disk actuates button273 to close switch 268 and rod 280 is moved to the left as viewed inFIG. 6 to position end 287 of the rod beneath buttons 292 of the controlvalve.

Following the final inspection of the stocking, foot treadle 251 isreleased and shaft 227 and lever 222 are turned counterclockwise byspring 252 to release valve 212 which is closed by spring 217 to shutoff the air to cylinder housing 195 and to open the valve 241). Spring196 thereupon operates piston 192 to move actuating rods 122 to the leftfrom the position of FIG. 20 to the position of FIG. 17 to retractexpander members 61, the action of spring 196 being supplemented by theaction of springs 15G acting on the fins.

Operation of the lever 422 closes the switch 426 to close and energizethe electric circuit to operate the solenoid 27% and disengage the lever262 from the notch 257 in the disk following which the form 51 isrotated clockwise from the final inspecting position of FIG. 6 to itsinitial position of FIG. 5 by the spring 276.

When form 51 is in the final inspecting position and it is found thatthe stocking on the form is defective, the form may be released forreturn to its initial position before releasing foot treadle 251 bymanually closing switch 521. Closing switch 521 operates solenoid 270 todisengage lever 262 from notch 257 in disk 165. Foot treadle 251 is thenreleased and the defective stocking manually removed from the formwithout turning it.

It will be understood that the improvements specifically shown anddescribed, by which the above results are obtained, can be changed andmodified in various ways without departing from the invention hereindisclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a stocking formcomprising spaced form members defining elongated openings therebetween,elongated expander mem bers in said openings, actuator means within saidform for moving said expander members between retracted and expandedpositions, and means defining a stocking passageway longitudinally ofsaid form within the interior thereof.

2. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a stocking formcomprising relatively flat shell members, means maintaining said shellmembers in spaced relationship to define elongated openingstherebetween, elongated expander members in said openings, actuatormeans within said form for moving said expander members betweenretracted and expanded positions, and means defining a stockingpassageway longitudinally of said form within the interior thereof.

3. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a stocking formcomprising relatively flat shell members, a frame member extendinglongitudinally of the form and spacing said shell members to defineelongated openings therebetween, elongated expander members in saidopenings, actuator means within said form for moving said expandermembers between expanding and retracting positions, and a stockingpassageway extending longitudinally of the form and defined in part bysaid frame member.

4. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a stocking formcomprising relatively fiat shell members, a frame member extendinglongitudinally of the form and spacing said shell members to defineelongated openings therebetween, means fixedly securing one of saidshell members to said frame member and means removably securing theother shell member to the frame member, said last named means comprisingheaded elements on one of said other shell member and frame member andrabbeted slots for receiving the heads of the elements in the other ofsaid members.

5. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a stocking formcomprising relatively fiat shell members, a frame member extendinglongitudinally of the form and spacing said shell members to defineelongated openings therebetween, elongated expander members in saidopenings, actuator means for moving said expander members betweenexpanding and retracted positions, a stocking passageway extendinglongitudinally of the form from an entrance opening adjacent the freeend thereof and defined in part by said frame member and in part by oneof said shell members, said one shell member projecting past saidentrance opening to define a terminal point of the form.

6. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a rela tively flatstocking form having a longitudinally extending opening in an edgethereof, an elongated expander member for projection through saidopening, a longitudinal shiftable actuating member within said form, alink pivotally connected at spaced points to said actuating member andto the expander member respectively, and a cam carried by one of saidmembers and a cam follower carried by the other for movement by saidcam, whereby longitudinal shifting of said actuating member in onedirection causes a stocking expanding movement of said expander member.

7. In a stocking inspecting and turning device, a relatively fiatstocking form having a longitudinally extending opening in an edgethereof, an elongated expander memher for projection through saidopening, a longitudinally shiftalble actuating member within said form,a link pivotally connected to said actuating member and expander member,a second actuating link having an end pivotally connected to saidexpander member and an end pivotaliy and slideably mounted in alongitudinal slot in said actuating member, an inclined cam carried bysaid actuating member at a point remote from said first link, and afollower carried by said expander member for cooperation with said camwhereby longitudinal movement of said actuator member in one directioncauses movement of said expander member to expanding position, andresilient means for returning the expander member to retracted positionupon movement of the actuator member in the opposite direction.

8. in a stocking inspecting device, a stocking form comprisingrelatively flat shell halves, a frame member extending longitudinally ofthe form and spacing said shell halves to define elongated openingstherebetween, elongated expander members in said openings,longitudinally shiftable actuator rods within said form, actuating linkseach pivotally connected to one of said aotuatorods and an adjacentexpander member, second actuator links each having an end pivotallyconnected to one of said expander members and having an end slideablyand pivotally mounted in a longitudinal slot in an adjacent actuatorrod, an inclined cam carried by each of said actuator rods, followerscarried by adjacent expander members for cooperation with said cams, andstabilizing links each having one end pivotally connected to the framemember and its other end pivotally connected to an adjacent expandermember, whereby longitudinal movement of said actuator rods in onedirection causes movement of said expander members to stocking expandingpositions, and resilient means for returning the expander members toretracted positions upon movement of said actuator rods in the oppositedirection.

9. In a stocking inspecting device, a stocking form having a free end,hosiery expander means carried by the form, means includinglongitudinally movable actuator rods within said form for moving saidexpander members between stocking expanding and retracted positions, anextension from said form opposite said free end, means supporting saidextension for rotation of said form between initial and final inspectionpositions, a member slideable longitudinally of said extension, meansconneoting said actuator rods to said slideable member for movementtherewith, and means for operating said slideable member.

10. In a stocking inspecting device, a stocking form having a free end,hosiery expander means carried by the form, means includinglongitudinally movable actuator rods within said form for moving saidexpander means between stocking expanding and retracted positions, ahollow extension from said form opposite said free end, means supportingsaid extension for rotation of the form between initial and finalinspection positions, a member within said hollow extension andslideable longitudinally thereof, means connecting said actuator rods tosaid slideable member for movement therewith, and a fluid motor meansfor operating said slideable member.

ll. In a stocking inspecting device, a stocxing form having a free end,hosiery expander means carried by the form, means includinglongitudinally movable actuator rods within said form for moving saidexpander means between stocking expanding and retracted positions, ahollow extension from said form opposite said free end, means supportingsaid extension for rotation of the form between initial and finalinspection positions, a member within said hollow extension andslideable longitudinally thereof, means connecting said actuator rods tosaid slideable member for movement therewith, a fluid motor means, and arack and pinion device for transmitting motion from said motor means tosaid slideable member.

12. In a stocking inspecting device adapted to operate in an inspectioncycle, a stocking form having a free end, an extension from said formopposite said free end, means supporting said extension for rotation topermit (the form to be turned between initial and final inspectionpositions, a member mounted for rotation with said form, latch meanscooperating with said member for releasably locking said form in finalinspection position and means operable upon the completion of aninspection cycle for releasing said latch means.

13. In a stocking inspecting device adapted to operate through aninspection cycle, a stocking form having a free end, an extension fromsaid form opposite said free end, means supporting said extension forrotation to permit the form to be turned between initial and finalinspection positions, a disk mounted for rotation with said extension, anotch in said disk, a latch element, means normally urging said latchelement against the periphery of the disk whereby the latch elemententers the notch upon alignment therewith, and means for withdrawing thelatch element from the notch upon completion of an examining cycle.

14. In a stocking inspecting and turning device a stocking form, meansmounting the form for rotation between initial and final inspectionpositions, means for locking the form in final inspection position, astocking counter having an operating member movable between idle andcounting positions, means for moving said member to counting position,means including an electric circuit for releasing said locking means, anormally open switch in the circuit, and means for closing the switchupon movement of the operating member to counting position.

15. A stocking inspecting and turning device as defined by claim 14having manually controlled means movable from an idle position to anactive position for stopping movement of the operating member at anintermediate point before it reaches counting position, said manuallycontrolled means operating to close said switch upon such movement ofthe operating member to the intermediate point.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,601,229 Shoaf et al. June 24, 1952 2,679,358 Autem May 25, 19542,883,093 Autem Apr. 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 801,937 Great BritainSept. 24, 1958

